CONSTRUCTION OF REFERENCE POPULATION FOR MAPPING FEED EFFICIENCY RELATED GENE(S) IN PIG
In taiwan, most of feed ingredients for pig production are imported and thus feed efficiency (FE) is one of the most important traits in swine selection program. The marker-asisted selection (MAS) not only provides an opportunity but also accelerates the genetic progress of FE in pig production. To map the feed efficiency related gene(s), Landrace and Peinan breeds were used to establish the reference population. Landrace boar, ear notch being 727-11, with the best feed efficiency (FE=1.48) among pigs tested in the 92-2 term at the north central test station was selected and served as founder sire. Furthermore, the average and range of FE in Landrace gilts used in founder population were 2.7 and 2.26~3.22, respectively. for reciprocal cross purpose, one Peinan boar and for Peinan gilts were used in the study. Peinan pigs had poor FE as usual with the average FE being 3.6. All the founder animals were stress free (CC type), but only few pigs with BB genotype was observed when estrogen receptor was genotyped. The combined genotypes of heart fatty acid binding protein found in founders were LL2, HL3 and HL4. In addition, fifty microsatellites spread around 19 pairs of chromosomes were also screened for FE related gene mapping and exploration of the important flunking marker(s) for breeding program.